Collaboration

Three multinational conglomerates have agreed to collaborate in an ambitious attempt to develop electric aircraft. Airbus, Rolls-Royce and Siemens have announced that the partnership has been created in an effort to accelerate the development and subsequent deployment of hybrid-electric propulsion for commercial aircraft.

Apple has joined a technology industry alliance which aims to establish the best practices for the opportunities and challenges faced within the field of AI. Apple joins Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Facebook, IBM and Google-owned British AI firm DeepMind who last year established the non-profit organization which they called 'Partnership on AI'.

Cities all over the world are currently implementing strategies and initiatives aimed at making their city 'smarter'. The topic of smart cities is a constant theme at ICT events on a global basis, and the implementation of 'smart city' policies continues to accelerate and gain momentum. A perfect illustration of a city reinventing itself to become 'smarter' is the US city of Austin.

During the FTTH Conference 2017, Beltelecom and Huawei showcased their commercial Smart Home services. Beltelecom also highlighted the development history of the Smart Home service in Belarus, the problems it encountered, and how it closely cooperated with Huawei to solve the challenges it faced.

The Brazilian government has taken proactive steps in an effort to combat the increasing problem the nation faces in relation to cybercrime - by entering into a collaborative partnership with Europol. Brazil has encountered significant problems with cybercrime from both an international and regional perspective. However, officials have expressed confidence that the partnership agreement with Europol will alleviate and significantly reduce cyber-attacks.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) have signed a memorandum of understanding with Dubai Airports to expand cooperation and promote Smart Dubai. The agreement aims to unify energies and resources, exchange knowledge, innovation, ideas and promotes effective communication to implement DEWA's three smart initiatives at Dubai Airports.

Dubai has expressed its aspirations to become the next FinTech hub. The city has enjoyed decades of rapid growth - and has developed its infrastructure to become a key business center which has now firmly switched its focus towards the FinTech sector.

Google has ramped up their self-driving project by acquiring an additional 500 Windsor-made Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans. The US tech giants are offering rides to the general public as it continues to carry out initial tests of the technology in the minivans.

Huawei announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Festo to jointly explore the 5G network application of manufacturing and to promote the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry with 5G Slicing Technology.

Car manufacturing giants Hyundai and Volkswagen have announced that they’ve signed a partnership agreement with US autonomous vehicle technology firm Aurora Innovation, which is spearheaded by a number of former executives from Google, Tesla and Uber.

Munich Airport has announced it is partnering with German conglomerate Siemens in an effort to work on the digitalization of the airport which includes developing solutions in areas such as mobility, energy management, safety and security.

PCCW Global, the international operating division of HKT, Hong Kong's premier telecommunications service provider, and Zhuhai Da Hengqin Technology Development Company (DHQ Tech) which is headquartered in Hengqin, China, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly turn Hengqin, one of China's Pilot Free Trade Zones, into a "Smart City", offering superior quality of life for its residents as well as an exciting and innovative business environment.

Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, announced today that Dubai Municipality will explore Smart Cities' innovations to drive water efficiency, at the opening of the Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX).

SEAT President Luca de Meo and Telefonica's Spanish President Luis Miguel Gilperez have signed an agreement that aims to promote a joint effort to develop innovative initiatives in the automotive industry. The agreement reached, which makes Telefónica a strategic IT supplier to SEAT, is set within the framework of SEAT's strategy to position itself as a benchmark company in connected, digitized mobility solutions.

Africa has announced that it will establish its first ever 'Big Data' summer school following the official announcement of a partnership between research organization Square Kilometer Array South Africa (SKA SA) and the South African Medical Research Council. (SAMRC)The continent's first 'Big Data' summer school will be launched in Cape Town.

The UAE Space Agency has discussed means of joint cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment during a meeting between high-level Space Agency delegates and the Minister of Climate Change and Environment. Discussions included the possibility of providing data on local and international environmental issues, as well as exchanging knowledge and expertise in relevant fields, in order to help combat the effects of climate change.

US chipmaker Intel Corp has announced that they have entered into a collaborative agreement with Delphi Automotive PLC and BMW to develop a highly-automated self-driving platform for the German automaker.

US wireless infrastructure provider American Tower Corporation and Philips Lighting have formally announced that they will collaborate and combine their expertise in an effort to co-develop a 'smart light pole' - that will improve wireless connectivity in dense urban areas.